Tony Wedlock: “This is an absolute animal of car and it’s like nothing I’ve ever driven”
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Aug 24, 2007
BAM Media
The ability to cover the quarter mile drag racing distance in under six and a half seconds (6.46secs) places Tony Wedlock’s Toyota Camry Solara as the quickest of its kind in the World.
With a top speed of 220mph (354 km/h), the Toowoomba driver’s program of exhibition passes during this weekend’s Castrol EDGE Jamboree at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway will undoubtedly make the car a crowd favourite.
Showcased during one of the mainstay events on the Willowbank Raceway calendar makes for the ideal Australian debut for this elite machine, that generates 1800 horsepower, courtesy of a six-cylinder Toyota 2JZ, 3.25 litre/198 cubic inch engine.
This impressive piece of machinery has howled excitement during numerous test sessions since its arrival Down Under just over two months ago.
“This is an absolute animal of a car and it’s like nothing I’ve ever driven during my thirty odd years involved in top level drag racing, ” said an excited Wedlock.
“We’ve been working on a whole bunch of programs and the process has been an unbelievable experience.
“It’s an immaculate piece of gear installed with the best parts money can buy.
“Toyota Australia are tripping about it and it’s very timely that we unveil the Ultimate Motorsports Camry on the very weekend that Toyota celebrates 50 years involvement in any form of motorsport anywhere in the World. ”
Wedlock and wife Sue imported the impressive drag racing machine from the United States where its pedigree has been well and truly proven.
The RJ Race Cars built Toyota Camry Solara has only done 20 competitive passes and now with Wedlock at the wheel, there’s a fair chance its quickest run to date could very well be eclipsed during this weekend’s Castrol EDGE Jamboree.
Wedlock is a former ANDRA Group One Pro Stock champion and no stranger to the winner’s podium.
Even he admits it’s more about harnessing the outright speed and power generated by the Camry and for this weekend making a point of trying to tame things down.
“This is a totally different beast so we’re taking baby steps for now and will back the car down and loosen up the clutch just so we can go from A to B consistently this weekend. ”
“We know we’ve got a lot of power at our disposal, particularly after rebuilding everything so it’s now a matter of adapting everything to suit the different tracks here in Australia.
In many respects Wedlock is hoping to pioneer this new style of drag racing into the professional domain throughout Australia and has received positive feedback among his peers.
General admission at the Castrol EDGE Jamboree is $30 for each day or $50 for a two-day pass. Students entry is $20 each day or $35 for Saturday/Sunday.
This weekend sees the Castrol EDGE Jamboree serving as a major preliminary towards Willowbank Raceway’s 42nd Australian Nationals and represents the fifth and final round of the 2006/2007 Sport Compact Group Drag Racing Series, with $25,000 in Championship prize money up for grabs.
The annual Australian Nationals, which again features all six Group One professional categories, kicks off a new season for Queensland drag racing having been secured to the State in 2002 with the support of Queensland Events Corporation under its Major Events portfolio.
Such support has allowed Willowbank Raceway to maintain its reputation as one of the premier tracks in Australia.
Willowbank officials will use the 42nd Australian Nationals as an appropriate springboard towards a revamped 10-month program of drag racing events.
